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[[Image:Mc-f4d-66-0244-61tfs-yellow.jpg|thumb|McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom Serial 66-0244 of the 61st TFS.]]
[[Image:Mc-f4d-66-0244-61tfs-yellow.jpg|thumb|McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom Serial 66-0244 of the 61st TFS.]]
[[File:56fg-p47.jpg|thumb|P-47 of the 61st Fighter Squadron]]
[[File:56fg-p47.jpg|thumb|P-47 of the 61st Fighter Squadron]]
[[File:61st--fighter-interceptor-squadron-ADC.png|thumb|150px|61st FIS (Air Defense Command)]]
[[File:61st--fighter-interceptor-squadron-ADC.png|thumb|200px|61st FIS (Air Defense Command)]]


The '''61st Fighter Squadron''' ('''61 FS''') is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] unit, last assigned to the [[56th Operations Group]], at [[Luke Air Force Base]], [[Arizona]]. It operated the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]] aircraft, conducting advanced fighter training until its deactivation on 27 August 2010.
The '''61st Fighter Squadron''' ('''61 FS''') is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] unit, last assigned to the [[56th Operations Group]], at [[Luke Air Force Base]], [[Arizona]]. It operated the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]] aircraft, conducting advanced fighter training until its deactivation on 27 August 2010.
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===Cold War===
===Cold War===
The squadron was reactivated on 1 May 1946 as a [[Strategic Air Command]] escort fighter group, being assigned to [[Fifteenth Air Force]] at [[Selfridge Army Air Base]], Michigan. Initially equipped with [[P-47D Thunderbolt]]s, being replaced with long-range [[P-51H Mustang]]s, originally developed for [[Twentieth Air Force]] bomber escort missions in the [[Pacific Theater]]. The mission of the squadron was to provide fighter escort of SAC's [[B-29 Superfortress]] bombers on intercontinental strategic bombardment missions, deploying to [[Alaska]] and [[Europe]] in this role. In 1947, the squadron was upgraded to Lockheed [[P-80C Shooting Star]]s, as SAC introduced the B-50 in the late 1940s. The squadron trained to maintain proficiency as a mobile strike force; including bomber escort mission until transferred from Strategic Air Command to [[Continental Air Command]] on 1 Dec 1948.
⚫
The squadron was reactivated at [[Selfridge Field]], [[Michigan]] training in P-47's while transitioning to [[P-51 Mustang]]s. In April 1950, the 61st transitioned to the F-94 modified with radar, operated by a RO (Radar Observer) to serve as an All Weather fighter Interceptor. In 1953 the Squadron was relocate to Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland where it became part of the DEW (Defense Early Warning) system. The F-94 all weather fighter interceptors were later replaced with the F-89 all weather fighter interceptors. In 1957 the squadron was relocated to Truax Field. The 61st transitioned to the [[F-80 Shooting Star]] and later was the first squadron to fly the [[F-86 Sabre]]. The 61st was deactivated on July 25, 1960, at [[Naval Air Station Corpus Christi|Truax Field]], [[Wisconsin]] flying the [[F-102 Delta Dagger]].

With the reassignment to ConAC, the squadron began performing air defense missions and being re-equipped with the [[F-86A Sabre]]. The squadron was re-designated as the '''63d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron''' on 20 Jan 1950. In April 1950, the 61st transitioned to the F-94 modified with radar, operated by a RO (Radar Observer) to serve as an All Weather fighter Interceptor.

⚫
It was assigned to [[Air Defense Command]] [[4708th Defense Wing]] in February 1952. In 1953 the Squadron was relocate to [[Ernest Harmon AFB ]]in Newfoundland where it became part of the DEW (Defense Early Warning) system. The F-94 all weather fighter interceptors were later replaced with the F-89 all weather fighter interceptors. In 1957 the squadron was relocated to Truax Field. The 61st transitioned to the [[F-80 Shooting Star]] and later was the first squadron to fly the [[F-86 Sabre]]. The 61st was deactivated on July 25, 1960, at [[Truax Field Air National Guard Base|Truax Field]], [[Wisconsin]] flying the [[F-102 Delta Dagger]].


In June 1975, the 61st was reactivated at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], [[Florida]], flying the [[F-4 Phantom II]]. In April 1980, the flying mission changed to the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]].
In June 1975, the 61st was reactivated at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], [[Florida]], flying the [[F-4 Phantom II]]. In April 1980, the flying mission changed to the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]].

Revision as of 13:24, 23 May 2011

61st Fighter Squadron
61st Fighter Squadron Patch
ActiveJanuary 15, 1941 – October 18, 1945
May 1, 1946 – July 25, 1960
June 30, 1975 – August 12, 1993
April 1, 1994 – Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeFighter Training
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
19th Air Force
56th Fighter Wing
56th Operations Group
Garrison/HQLuke Air Force Base
Nickname(s)Top Dogs
Decorations DUC
AFOUA
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Gabby Gabreski
Michael Ryan
General Dynamics F-16A Block 10B Fighting Falcon Serial 79-0397 of the 61st TFS.
McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom Serial 66-0244 of the 61st TFS.
P-47 of the 61st Fighter Squadron
61st FIS (Air Defense Command)

The 61st Fighter Squadron (61 FS) is an inactive United States Air Force unit, last assigned to the 56th Operations Group, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operated the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, conducting advanced fighter training until its deactivation on 27 August 2010.

Mission

Until its inactivation, the 61 FS known as the 'Top Dogs' flew a mix of F-16C/D Block 42 aircraft, to train pilots for Air Combat Command assignments.

History

World War II

see 56th Operations Group for an expansive history of the squadron's World War II history

The 61st Fighter Squadron was constituted as the 61st Pursuit Squadron as part of the 56th Pursuit Group at Savannah, Georgia, on 15 January 1941. The squadron immediately began training for its wartime missions under III Fighter Command, rapidly transitioning through the P-35, P-36, P-39, and P-40 aircraft. On 7 December 1941, the 61st stepped up to defend the Southeastern United States from anticipated enemy air attack while it converted to the P-47 aircraft and prepared to deploy overseas. In November 1942, P-47 Thunderbolt dive test pilots achieved 725 mph, faster than the speed of sound.

It was re-designated 61st Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942, and deployed to RAF Kings Cliffe (AAF-367), England on 9 January 1943. It was declared operationally ready two months later and flew its first combat missions 13 April. The squadron was given fuselage code "HV" and operated from several RAF stations during the war, flying the P-47C Thunderbolt as an VIII Fighter Command bomber-escort unit initially for B-17 Flying Fortresses and beginning in 1944 for B-24 Liberators attacking enemy targets in Occupied Europe. From 1943 to 1945, the 61st produced 19 Aces, the highest of any squadron in Europe, destroying 248 aircraft in the air and 67.5 aircraft on the ground. In 1944, it was recognized as the first fighter squadron in the European theater to score over 100 victories. After the end of the war in Europe, the squadron demobilized in England, and was inactivated as an administrative unit on 18 October 1945.[1]

Cold War

The squadron was reactivated on 1 May 1946 as a Strategic Air Command escort fighter group, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force at Selfridge Army Air Base, Michigan. Initially equipped with P-47D Thunderbolts, being replaced with long-range P-51H Mustangs, originally developed for Twentieth Air Force bomber escort missions in the Pacific Theater. The mission of the squadron was to provide fighter escort of SAC's B-29 Superfortress bombers on intercontinental strategic bombardment missions, deploying to Alaska and Europe in this role. In 1947, the squadron was upgraded to Lockheed P-80C Shooting Stars, as SAC introduced the B-50 in the late 1940s. The squadron trained to maintain proficiency as a mobile strike force; including bomber escort mission until transferred from Strategic Air Command to Continental Air Command on 1 Dec 1948.

With the reassignment to ConAC, the squadron began performing air defense missions and being re-equipped with the F-86A Sabre. The squadron was re-designated as the 63d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 Jan 1950. In April 1950, the 61st transitioned to the F-94 modified with radar, operated by a RO (Radar Observer) to serve as an All Weather fighter Interceptor.

It was assigned to Air Defense Command 4708th Defense Wing in February 1952. In 1953 the Squadron was relocate to Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland where it became part of the DEW (Defense Early Warning) system. The F-94 all weather fighter interceptors were later replaced with the F-89 all weather fighter interceptors. In 1957 the squadron was relocated to Truax Field. The 61st transitioned to the F-80 Shooting Star and later was the first squadron to fly the F-86 Sabre. The 61st was deactivated on July 25, 1960, at Truax Field, Wisconsin flying the F-102 Delta Dagger.

In June 1975, the 61st was reactivated at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, flying the F-4 Phantom II. In April 1980, the flying mission changed to the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Modern era

On 1 November 1991, the host 56th Tactical Training Wing at MacDill implemented the Objective organization plan, and the subsequent re-designation of units led to the 61st becoming simply the 61st Fighter Squadron, and being assigned to the new 56th Operations Group.

The 61st transitioned in June 1988 to flying the F-16 C/D and the squadron was deactivated in January 1994. The squadron was reactivated on April 1, 1994 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, replacing the former 314th Fighter Squadron flying the F-16 C/D Fighting Falcon.[1]

Lineage

  • Constituted as 61st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940
Activated on 15 Jan 1941
Re-designated: 61st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (Twin Engine) on 31 Jan 1942
Re-designated: 61st Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942
Re-designated: 61st Fighter Squadron on 1 Jun 1942
Re-designated: 61st Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 28 Feb 1944
Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945
  • Activated on 1 May 1946
Re-designated: 61st Fighter Squadron, Jet Propelled, on 24 Apr 1947
Re-designated: 61st Fighter Squadron, Jet, on 14 Jun 1948
Re-designated: 61st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 Jan 1950
Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Jul 1960
  • Re-constituted and re-designated as 61st Tactical Fighter Squadron on 12 May 1975
Activated on 30 Jun 1975
Re-designated: 61st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 1 Jan 1980
Re-designated: 61st Fighter Squadron on 1 Nov 1991
Inactivated on 12 Aug 1993
  • Activated on 1 Apr 1994
Inactivated on 27 August 2010

[2]

Assignments

[2]

Stations

[2]

Aircraft

[2]

Operations

[2]

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b 56 OG Fact Sheet
  2. ^ a b c d e AFHRA 61 FS Page

Bibliography

See also

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